Session 8: Towards a manifesto for a compassionate curriculum

Abstract

Session overview:

A compassionate curriculum is one where notions of fulfilment and wellbeing are designed into curriculum structure, processes and practices. Such a curriculum, in its planning and delivery, is characterised by a motivation to help, to minimise stress and eliminate distress for both students and staff.  The focus on the compassionate curriculum was born from the RAISE Partnership Special Interest Group. A series of events addressing a seemingly unrelated elements of student/staff partnerships came to the same overall conclusion; the student journey is enhanced when universities explicitly and strategically attend to wellbeing in the construction of learning experiences.  This presentation will outline work done by the Special Interest Group to promote the notion of a compassionate curriculum through the development of a manifesto that will be published on the RAISE (Researching & Inspiring Student Engagement) website.  The presentation will explore how consideration for student and staff wellbeing is embodied in the formal curriculum, as defined by content, pedagogy and assessment. It will also examine the role of student support.  Finally, the presentation will explore the how the unwritten rules and assumptions of a university (the ‘hidden curriculum’) can sustain or constrain efforts towards compassionate curricula.

Key learning points from this session:

This session will provide attendees with the opportunity view curriculum features and associated practices through the lens of student and staff wellbeing.  Consideration of this will emphasise that many of the features of a compassionate curriculum are already common practice in LJMU.  Hence, developments will often be in how curricula, services and practices are organised rather than recreated.

Towards a manifesto for a compassionate curriculum PowerPoint. Only LJMU staff and students have access to this resource.